Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

25 Dec

Navi Mumbai International Airport Opens to Commercial Flights, Ushering in New Era for Mumbai Aviation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndiGo first flight, Mumbai aviation, Navi Mumbai International Airport, NMIA inauguration

Navi Mumbai, December 25, 2025: Nearly 30 years after it was first envisioned to ease pressure on Mumbai’s overburdened aviation network, the greenfield Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) became operational on Thursday with the landing of an IndiGo Airbus A320 from Bengaluru at 8 am. The aircraft received a traditional water cannon salute, marking the formal start of commercial operations at the new airport.The launch represents a major expansion of Mumbai’s aviation infrastructure and a significant milestone in India’s broader push to build future-ready transport facilities. With NMIA now functional, Mumbai joins global cities such as London, New York, Tokyo…

25 Dec

Farmer Couple, Two Sons Found Dead in Nanded; Police Suspect Family Suicide Pact

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsHealthFarmer Couple, Two Sons Found Dead in Nanded; Police Suspect Family Suicide Pact

Nanded (Maharashtra), December 25, 2025: A farming family of four was found dead at separate locations in Maharashtra’s Nanded district on Thursday morning, with police suspecting a case of mass suicide, officials said.The bodies of farmer Ramesh Sonaji Lakhe (51) and his wife Radhabai Lakhe (45) were discovered around 8 am inside their house at Jawala Murar village in Mudkhed tehsil. The couple was found lying motionless on a cot, prompting locals to alert the police. A short while later, the bodies of their two sons — Umesh (25) and Bajrang (23) — were found on nearby railway tracks. Preliminary…

25 Dec

Top Maoist Leader With ₹1.1 Crore Bounty Killed in Kandhamal Encounter, Odisha Police Call It Major Breakthrough

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaanti-Naxal operation, CPI Maoist, Ganesh Uike, Kandhamal encounter, Odisha Maoist encounter

Bhubaneswar, December 25, 2025: A senior leader of the banned CPI (Maoist), Ganesh Uike, who was carrying a cash reward of ₹1.1 crore, was among four Maoists killed in a fierce encounter with security forces in Odisha’s Kandhamal district on Thursday, police officials said. The gunfight broke out in a dense forest under the Chakapad police station area after security forces launched a coordinated operation based on specific intelligence inputs. Officials confirmed that Uike, a central committee member who was overseeing Maoist activities in Odisha, was neutralised along with three other cadres, including two women. The identities of the remaining…

25 Dec

PM Modi Inaugurates Rashtriya Prerna Sthal on Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 101st Birth Anniversary

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAtal Bihari Vajpayee, Narendra Modi, Rashtriya Prerna Sthal, Syama Prasad Mookerjee

Lucknow, December 25, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal, a major national memorial and inspirational complex dedicated to the life and ideals of former prime minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The inauguration coincided with Vajpayee’s 101st birth anniversary. The prime minister was accompanied by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and several senior leaders during the ceremony. The expansive complex features imposing 65-foot bronze statues of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee and ideologue Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, highlighting their role in shaping…

25 Dec

Tarique Rahman Returns to Bangladesh After 17 Years, Draws Massive BNP Show of Strength in Dhaka

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsBangladesh Nationalist Party, Bangladesh politics, BNP, Dhaka, Tarique Rahman

Dhaka, December 25: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman received a massive public reception on Thursday as he returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, marking a significant political moment ahead of the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections. Thousands of BNP leaders, workers and supporters lined major routes in the capital, including the 300 Feet Road and areas around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, to welcome the party leader amid heavy security deployment. The scale of the gathering reflected strong enthusiasm within the party ranks and among supporters across the city.Rahman travelled in a bus decorated in BNP colours,…

25 Dec

Hospital Death Sparks Debate as Alberta Looks at Private Health Care

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaEdmonton, Hospital Death, Private Healthcare

Edmonton ( Rajeev Sharma): The death of a 44-year-old man after a long wait in the emergency room at Grey Nuns Community Hospital has raised public concern about Alberta’s health-care system. The man went to the hospital with severe chest pain and later died of an apparent cardiac arrest. His death is being reviewed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the hospital has said it is cooperating with the investigation.Many people say the incident shows how much pressure emergency rooms are under. Hospitals across Alberta face problems such as staff shortages, overcrowding, and limited space. Emergency departments…

25 Dec

Dawson Creek Extends Local State of Emergency Amid Ongoing Water Shortages

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingDawson Creek

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): The City of Dawson Creek has renewed its local state of emergency as it grapples with continued drought conditions affecting its water supply. Despite heavy snowfall in December, officials say the city’s water situation remains critical. “A strong snowpack helps carry us through to March or April, when spring runoff replenishes rivers and reservoirs,” the city noted in a Tuesday update. “However, the Kiskatinaw River is already beginning to freeze, and water levels remain below normal.” The state of emergency, initially declared in October, has been extended multiple times. City officials say the renewal allows them…

25 Dec

Alberta Plans ‘Naughty List’ to Protect High Level Bridge from Truck Collisions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Edmonton’s iconic High Level Bridge continues to face challenges from oversized trucks, prompting Alberta’s government to explore new measures to prevent collisions. Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen revealed plans for stricter policies, including a “naughty list” for truckers, aimed at reducing incidents near the 112-year-old landmark. The double-decker steel bridge, which spans over 750 metres across the North Saskatchewan River, has seen five direct hits and ten near-misses by large trucks this year alone. Despite bright warning signs indicating the bridge’s limited clearance—10.6 metres on the lower deck—truck drivers frequently attempt to cross, causing traffic congestion and damage.…

25 Dec

Winter Storm Set to Disrupt Holiday Travel Across Southern Ontario

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingOntario

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): A major winter storm is expected to sweep across southern Ontario later this week, raising concerns about travel disruptions during the holiday season, Environment Canada warned. Friday, which coincides with Boxing Day, is projected to see the most significant impact. The storm, driven by a low-pressure system, is forecast to bring a mix of wintry precipitation, including snow, freezing rain, and ice pellets, depending on the location. Southwestern Ontario, particularly around Hamilton and Niagara, may experience freezing rain beginning early Friday morning and continuing through the evening. Officials predict ice accumulation of 5 to 10 millimeters in…

25 Dec

California Activates Emergency Response as Holiday Storm Brings Flooding Threat

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsCalfornia

California (Rajeev Sharma): California has moved into emergency mode after a powerful storm swept through Los Angeles and much of Southern California, prompting officials to warn of worsening conditions over the next several days. Governor Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency as heavy rainfall led to rising river levels and growing concerns about landslides. The storm system, fueled by the moisture-rich weather pattern known as the “Pineapple Express,” has drenched urban areas and foothill communities alike. Authorities say saturated ground and fast-moving water have increased the risk of mudslides, particularly in regions previously affected by wildfires. Emergency crews are…